Hisense X1 has a 6.8" display and is US bound

Did you ever want to hold your Nexus 7 tablet up to your ear and make a phone call? Hisense feels your pain, so they made the X1 - a phablet with a 6.8" 1080p IPS display.

The humongous device will be selling in China before it hits the United States. It packs some pretty appealing specs which include a Snapdragon 800 chipset, 13MP camera, Android 4.4 KitKat, and a generous 3,900mAh battery (although with the size of its display, it certainly needs all of the juice it can get). The only downside is that the Hisense X1 is not LTE capable, just HSPA+.

First-hand use of the device is positive, with accounts praising the viewing angles of the handset's gargantuan screen. The chipset also unsurprisingly provides a stellar user experience. The demo model was packing Android 4.3, but Hisense says that the final product will ship with KitKat on board.

The Hisense X1 is made of plastic which isn't surprising given the company's bottom-dollar value approach, evidenced in their tablets. Handling is as comfortable as can be for a phablet of this size.

Expect the phone to hit the states in late Q2 SIM-free. There is news however, that Hisense is in discussions with two US carriers so if you're looking to subsidize this beast, you may want to wait until a wireless provider agrees to carry the device.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/hisense_x1_has_a_68_screen_and_is_us_bound-news-7522.php

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Samsung's rumoured Galaxy Note 3 Neo could be the first hexa-core phone

Half Note 2, Half Note 3? The Note 3 Neo could be along the way

Samsung's been popping out Pro devices like a rain-soaked silicon Mogwi this week, but the company be about to switch focus to its second tier options, judging by alleged leaked internal documents.

GSM Arena claims to have gotten its hands on Samsung literature showing full specs for the rumoured Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo, with one particularly interesting nuance.

According to the documents the scaled back Note 3 Neo will contain a 1.7GHz dual-core and a 1.3GHz quad-core processor. If true, it'd make the as-yet-unofficial device, the "industry's first" hexa-core phone.

As with the grown-up version of the Galaxy Note 3, the processor would appear to be built on the ARM-based big.LITTLE tech, with the tasks split between the more and less powerful cores to boost efficiency.

Note 2 with more cores?

As far as other specs are concerned, the leaked documents peg the Note 3 Neo with a 5.5-inch 720p AMOLED screen, similar to the one nestling within 2012's Samsung Galaxy Note 2 handset.

That's not where the similarities end, the literature also suggests the device will have 2GB of RAM, an 8-megapixel camera, and a 3,100 mAh battery.

The Note 3 Neo will borrow the faux-leather rear casing from its namesake, as well as the Android 4.3 operating system, Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, and HSPA+ 42mbps.

If the documents turn out to be genuine, we wouldn't be at all surprised to see this handset arrive at Mobile World Congress next month, where the Galaxy S5 handset is also rumoured to be making its bow.

• Earlier today word came down that the Galaxy Grand Neo could also be on the way too? What is this, The Matrix?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-s-rumoured-galaxy-note-3-neo-could-be-the-first-hexa-core-smartie-1213648

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Incipio confirms Nokia Lumia ICON existence and name, again

Sometimes the easiest way to get a confirmation of a smartphone's existence is to just look at the accessory manufacturers who mass produce for upcoming devices. A look at Incipio's portfolio gave us just that with its case for the Nokia Lumia ICON.

The case was previously put up online but then quickly taken off, as we reported in an earlier story. It was now spotted at Incipio's booth at CES.

The device went by the Lumia 929 model name for a while, however, the case now explicitly states that the name of the upcoming Nokia device will be the "Lumia ICON".

Other rumors point to a January 16th official announcement from Nokia. Are you excited for Nokia latest phone?

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/incipio_confirms_nokia_lumia_icon_existence-news-7521.php

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EXCLUSIVE: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo full specs leak

What has until now been rumored as the "Lite" version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is apparently set to see life as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo. The confirmation comes from a bunch of these leaked internal product positioning documents that we acquired.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo looks to be more of a refresh to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 rather than a dumbed-down version of the Note 3, as it features the Galaxy Note 2's 5.55" 720p Super AMOLED display, 8MP camera, and 3,100 mAh battery. Even the RAM and internal storage are the same at 2GB and 16GB, respectively.

What is interesting, however, is the new 1.7GHz dual + 1.3GHz quad-core (Hexa) processor powering the Galaxy Note 3 Neo. We didn't get much details throughout the document beyond a mere mention of the name and the clock speed of the two sets of cores. It'll certainly be a step up from the 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos found on the Note 2, but the question is how will it compare to the Snapdragon 600 and 800 chipsets out there.

Could it feature Samsung new HMP solution - the one that allows all cores to work simultaneously? It would be an odd move for Samsung to debut their new killer processor tech in a "lite" model device, but this industry has certainly seen stranger things happen.

The good news is that Samsung is bringing over its slick new faux leather back cover from the Galaxy Note 3 (probably why it lends its name), and is a slimmer device than the Note 2 to boot. Also included are all of the Smart Features from the Note 3 and S4, including Air command and Advanced Multi Window.

We've been hearing talk of a new 720p Note variant for quite some time now, and although the leaked promo packet doesn't mention a release or announce date, MWC 2014 next month sounds about right. Be sure to check back with us for all the breaking news on the Galaxy Note 3 Neo!

A hat tip to our tipster!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/exclusive_samsung_galaxy_note_3_neo_full_specs_leak-news-7520.php

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Vodafone promising to deliver Moto G on contract complete with Android KitKat

Dear Moto G, thanks for not costing much money. Love, us.

For the SIM-free price of £130, the Moto G represents perhaps the best value ever offered by a smartphone manufacturer in the UK, but Vodafone still reckons it can snare some buyers on contracts.

The company has announced it'll be stocking the upper-mid-range handset in the near future (no firm release date yet), and may have an ace up its sleeve in the form of the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update.

Moto is reportedly testing KitKat for those who bought the device outright but is yet to roll it out, so if Vodafone can steal a march, it may enjoy some success by serving up the latest Android update first.

However, it's perhaps more likely that the KitKat bump will be available to all Moto G users imminently with Vodafone set to piggyback in for its version of the device.

OS parity?

If there's OS parity between the SIM-free and Vodafone marketed devices, it may work out cheaper for consumers to buy the device outright and select cheaper SIM-only deals, than accept a network subsidy.

Regardless, the Moto G represents great value for the smartphone buyer, with a 4.5-inch 720p display and a quad-core processor. Add the latest version of Android into the mix and it may just be the best tech deal on the market right now.

In a recent TechRadar review, the device earned a rare 4.5 stars out of a potential five, not just for the value on offer, but for the performance and functionality of the handset.

Will you be snapping up a Moto G on contract? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

• Speaking of Moto, is the American-made Moto X phone about to conquer the UK? We'll know for sure in less than a week...

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/vodafone-promising-to-deliver-moto-g-on-contract-complete-with-android-kitkat-1213613

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Nokia Normandy leaks yet again, runs on Android KitKat

The rumors of the notorious Nokia Normandy prototype running on Android has been around for quite some time. Even though the company's Devices and Services division is soon to be acquired by Microsoft, it seems the Normandy rumors continue, suggesting the device might come to live against all odds.

Last month we learned the codenamed Normandy device is supposed to be an entry-level Android smartphone. The leaks suggested Normandy will be reusing the iconic Lumia design and will come in a plethora of different colors, just like the affordable Asha and Lumia phones.

Today the famous tipster @evleaks has posted renders of Normandy running on Android. We get to see a glimpse of Nokia's launcher, particularly the lockscreen, Viber and Skype apps. Judging by the Normandy's status bar, this should be a dual-SIM phone.

Another leaks from today sheds some more light on the alleged Normandy specs. As it turns out someone has put the Normandy through AnTuTu's test, so we can see some of its specs. Nokia RM-980 A110 codenamed Normandy reported featuring a 4" FWVGA display (480x854 pixels), a 5MP rear camera and runs on Android 4.4.1 KitKat. Naturally, the chipset powering the Normandy is Qualcomm Snapdragon.

If Normandy is similar to the previously tipped "Mountain View" Android prototype, then it might be running (as previously suggested) on the Snapdragon 200 chipset (quad-core Cortex-A5/Adreno 203 or quad-core Cortex-A7/Adreno 302).

Nokia Normandy running on Android KitKat

Some recent rumors suggest the Normandy development is at "full steam ahead" and the smartphone is supposed to hit the shelves this year. Some go even further saying the team working on Normandy (Project N) will stay at Nokia and continue to work on it alongside other devices (such as the alleged Nokia smartwatch) after Microsoft's acquisition is completed.

Now is a good time to take a breath, lower your enthusiasm and take all this with a huge pinch of salt. The entire batch of rumors sounds way too good to be true. Maybe there is something going on at Nokia and some of this is happening, but maybe there isn't. In fact there is a good chance somewhere on the way a tiny rumor has completely gone out of control feeding on the hopes of the loyal fans.

Source 1 | Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_normandy_leaks_yet_again_runs_on_android_kitkat-news-7519.php

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Is this the Nokia Normandy Android phone we've been hearing about?

Wrong phone, right screens? (credit: @evleaks)

Will it? Won't it? We simply don't know if Nokia has plans to launch its own Android smartphone, with rumours suggesting either outcome is possible - but a fresh leak has given the "it will" camp a little more fire power.

The regular (and normally accurate) @evleaks is at the centre of things again, posting an image which appears to resemble the Nokia Asha 503 - but with three rather different screens.

A simple message accompanied the tweeted picture, reading "Android on Nokia ( -virtual buttons)" - hardly giving much away, but the sentiment is clear.

Wait a minute

After closer inspection of the image we're a little dubious about its authenticity - there's some artifacting between the display and the handset's body, while the icons in the notification bar look a little too close to the top of the screen.

What are we saying? Well these are warning flags for a Photoshop job, leading us to believe that these aren't official press shots nabbed from Nokia of its rumoured "Normandy" Android handset.

That's not to say the screenshots themselves are not real - @evleaks has a strong track record of being on the money, so we're still taking the leak pretty seriously.

If Nokia does finally go to market with an Android device it looks set to sport a modified user interface - oh, and those lockscreen widget notifications look cool.

• Apparently Nokia hasn't given up on Android just yet

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/is-this-the-nokia-normandy-android-phone-we-ve-been-hearing-about--1213516

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Blackberry Z10 now £150 off-contract in the UK

Blackberry's Z10 handset just received another price cut: you can snatch one up for £150 SIM-free straight from the manufacturer's UK website. This applies to both the black and white versions of the smartphone.

This is what your money will get you: a quad-band 4G/LTE smartphone with a 4.2 inch screen with a dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait processor and 2GB of RAM. The Z10 also packs an 8MP snapper, 16GB of storage space with a microSD card slot, and an HDMI port. Not to mention access to the latest version of the Blackberry 10 OS.

The drop in price is most probably a direct result of the smartphone manufacturer's inability to reassert itself as a key player in the mobile game again.

The company has seen better days, and maybe part of its strategy is to offer its phones at lower prices to get people used to their brand, instead of expecting customers to pay top dollar.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_z10_now_150_offcontract-news-7518.php

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Android 4.3 Jelly Bean now available on Asus Fonepad 7

Asus has announced the 7-inch Fonepad 7 hybrid on IFA back at September last year. It quickly gained some popularity due to its very attractive price tag and unique mixture of tablet and smartphone experience although it didn't exactly turn into a best seller. Still that doesn't prevent Asus from taking good care of it and here comes its first major update.

Originally the Fonepad 7 hit the shelves running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. Asus didn't specify any upgrade plans, but it seems the manufacturer has been working to bring a newer Android version on the device.

So, the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean is now available as an over-the-air update for the Fonepad 7. It brings improved video player and image gallery, Gallery Home Front, and other UI improvements. There is no official change log though, so more upgrades could be hiding under the hood including improved system stability and bug fixes.

Anyway, if you own a Fonepad 7, you should check your Update section. There is no info on further updates, but we hope Asus decides to bring Android 4.4 KitKat to Fonepad 7 too.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_43_jelly_bean_now_available_on_asus_fonepad_7-news-7517.php

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Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo escapes ahead of MWC 2014

Its not even here yet and the Galaxy Grand 2 is on a diet (credit: SamMobile)

CES 2014 may be in full swing but that hasn't stopped MWC 2014 news from reaching our ears, with a leak of the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo hitting the web.

The Galaxy Grand branding hasn't reached UK shores yet, although there have been hints that that Galaxy Grand 2 is likely to reach us later this year.

GSM Arena claims to have seen an internal Samsung document, which reveals that the Galaxy Grand Neo is set to come in with lower specs than the Galaxy Grand 2, with a smaller and lower resolution 5-inch 480 x 800 display.

Behind this sits a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, backed up with 1GB RAM, to keep Android 4.2 Jelly Bean running smoothly.

Galaxy Grand Lite?

For those looking to take those all important selfies, a VGA camera is fitted to the front with a 5MP sensor and LED flash rooted to the rear of the Grand Neo.

Other key specs include a 2100mAh battery pack, Bluetooth 4.0, HSPA+ (no LTE here), Wi-Fi b/g/n, GPS and GLONASS all wrapped in a frame measuring 143.7 x 77.1 x 9.6mm.

For all this, Samsung will apparently be asking for €299 (around £250) of your hard earned money.

You may think that this all sounds a bit familiar, and you'd be right as the specs match those we saw mooted last month for the Galaxy Grand Lite.

We'll have to wait for MWC 2014 next month just what Samsung has in store for us, so keep your eyes glued here as we'll be sending our crack team of investigators to dig out all the best news for you.

• What to expect from MWC 2014

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-grand-neo-escapes-ahead-of-mwc-2014-1213391

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Nokia Lumia 1520 32GB model coming to AT&T;

According to a report by WPCentral, AT&T is about to start offering a 32GB model of its Windows Phone 8 flagship - the Nokia Lumia 1520. So if you've been waiting for the 32GB version of the phablet on AT&T, you will be able to buy it starting January 10.

The US carrier started offering the 16GB Lumia 1520 at its brick-and-mortar stores as well as online for direct purchase back in November last year. AT&T asks for $199 with a 2-year contract. Judging by the way this things usually work, the 32GB units will probably retail for $299 on contract.

The report also suggests that the Lumia 1520 will be sold as a Direct Fulfillment device - it will be available for online orders and not in stores.

With the microSD card slot on board of the 32GB Lumia 1520, you'll be able to fit nearly 100GB of files if you get a 64GB microSD card. Anyway, pricing is yet to be announced, but with January 10 just around the corner, we won't have to wait much longer to know all about it.

We've already reviewed the Nokia Lumia 1520 and even put it head-to-head with the Galaxy Note 3. If you still haven't made up your mind about the phablet, you will do well to check out those articles.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_lumia_1520_32gb_model_rumored_to_launch_on_at_ampt-news-7515.php

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Can renewed focus on physical keyboards save BlackBerry?

The Q10 may just be the start of a new dawn

Touchscreen smartphones might be all the rage but it seems that the humble QWERTY keyboard still has a place, in Canada at least.

Bloomberg quotes new BlackBerry CEO John Chen at CES 2014 saying "I personally love the keyboards", adding that that future BB devices will "predominantly" use physical keyboards.

Perhaps in a move to underline just how important keyboards are to BlackBerry's future, the Canadian firm is suing the creator of iPhone QWERTY snap-on Typo, an accessory that looks suspiciously like the BlackBerry Q10 keyboard.

This could help BlackBerry re-establish themselves as a major smartphone player, following some less than impressive forays into the touchscreen market with the BlackBerry Storm and the more recent BlackBerry Z10 and Z30.

It would also help gain back the business sectors that made the BlackBerry brand the mobile giant in the first place, the same sectors that are prolific with emails and rely upon physical buttons for easy typing.

It makes sense then, that BlackBerry is set to focus on these markets over the next 18 months.

I need a dollar

With all this focus on physical keyboards, you'd be wrong in thinking that this means the Canadian firm is set to abandon the consumer market completely.

"Since I showed up there has been a lot of speculation that we're retreating from the phone business or the consumer business. This could not be further from the truth" said Chen.

2014 may herald a BlackBerry resurgence, and maybe one day we'll see BlackBerry return to being the device of choice amongst teens and young adults.

Don't expect that to be anytime soon though, with Chen adding "if there's a dollar I need to spend between the consumer space and the enterprise space I'll spend it on the enterprise space for now".

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/can-renewed-focus-on-physical-keyboards-save-blackberry--1213371

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EXCLUSIVE: Galaxy Grand Neo to launch in mid-February

After we the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo specifications, we received additional availability info. The 5" Android will start selling in Europe (Belgium at least) in Week 7 this year – that's February 10-16.

As we reported earlier, the Grand Neo will cost €300 (after tax) in Europe. That would put it in competition with phones much more capable than it. We'll see if Samsung actually prices the phone that highly or if there's something special about the handset.

We can't imagine what would justify the €300 though – the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo packs a 5" WVGA screen (187ppi), a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor, 5MP/720p camera, optional dual-SIM and a 2,100mAh battery.

Thanks again to our anonymous tipster!

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/exclusive_galaxy_grand_neo_to_launch_in_midfebruary-news-7514.php

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